Circular-knitting machine



(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. O. EGLY.

CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE.

"N0, 591,213., Patented Oct. 5,1897.

TH: nonms PETERS no wnorquwu. wAsnmnrow. o. c.

(No Model.) 4 Shets-8hegt 2.

J G. 'EGLY. GIRGULAR KNfTTING MACHINE.

No. 591,213; Patented Oct, 5,1897.

I iii-ll (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

' J. C. EGLY.

' I CIRCULAR KNITTINGMAGHINE. No. 591,218. Patented Oct. 5,1897.

: W/ T/VESSES:

ATTORNEY.

(No Model.) J G EGLY 4Sheets-Sheet4.

- GIRGULARKNITTING MACHINE. 7 No. 591,213. Patented Oct. .5, 1 97.

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NlTED STATES;

Enron.

PATENT CIRCULAR-KNITTING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 591,213, dated October 5, 1897: Application filed uly 6, 1894:. Serial No. 516,738. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN G. EGLY, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful lm provement in Circular-Knitting Machines, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying to knit additional stitches upon those needles which were left down in the operative position. At the end of each course thus knit on the depressed needles an additional needle is lifted out of action, and this lifting of the needles one at a time at the alternate ends of the course is continued until but a few needles, usually but one-sixth of the entire number, are left in action. When this point is reached, the oscillating action being still continued, the needles are then carried downward into action, one at the end of each course, until finally the number of needles in action is the same as at the beginning of the heeling operation. I

The object of my invention is to combine with the parts of a knitting-machine, which may be in all other respects of ordinary construction, certain mechanical devices to effect the above-described adjustments of the needles-that is to say, to throw one half of the needles instantlyout of or into action and to throw the remaining needles first one at a time out of action and thereafter one at a time into action, and to this end I provide, in connection with a circular-knitting machine, fourdistinct devices, or, in other words, devices for accomplishing four separate and distinct operations: first, an attachment for instantly raising or throwing upward beyond their operating-cams the needles on one side of the cylinder, usually, as in the present instance, one-half of the entire number, so that they may retain their stitches and for the time being remain inoperative; second, an autorenderin'g half the needles inoperative.

matic cam which acts upon the remaining needles so as to raise a certain number of the same out of operation one by one, said cam being in turn set by the needles, one at the end of each course; third, a finger which acts upon and is in turn adjusted by the needles for the purpose of depressing or throwing into action one by one the needles which have "been lifted out of action one at the end of each course; fourth, an attachment for depressing or restoring to their operative positions the needles rendered inoperative by the above first-mentioned device.

My invention also consists of other novel features, all as will be hereinafter set forth.

Figure 1 represents a plan view of a circular-knitting machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a section on line at 33, Fig. 1, viewed in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 3 represents a section on line a: w, showing the opposite half of the rotary ring or cylinder-jacket Fig. l represents a development or plane projection of the inner surface of the rotary cam-ring or cylinder, showing especially the stop and the device for Fig. 5 represents asection on line y y of Fig. 1. Fig. 5% represents in part a horizontal section on line y y, Fig. 1. Fig. Grepre'sents a section on line z a, Fig. 1. Fig. 7 represents a section on line 00" on, Fig. 1, viewed in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 8 represents a side elevation, partly in section, of the arm which carries the finger for depressing the needles, one at the end of each course. Fig. 9 represents a front elevation of said finger. Fig. 10 represents a detail view of the automatic cam shown in Fig. 3 moved to its extreme left-hand position. Fig. 11 represents a section on line w m, Fig. 10, showing the connection of the automatic cam to the rotating ring or cylinder-jacket. Fig. 12 represents a view similar to Fig. 10, but showing the automatic cam in its extreme right-hand position. Fig. 13 represents a partly-sectional view'similar to Fig. 7, but having the upper portion broken away and the pivoted portion moved away from the cylinder-jacket. Fig. lat represents a section of the rotary ring, showing the latch for the automatic cam and the catch therefor. Fig. 15 represents an end view of the automatic cam. Fig. 16 represents a perspective view of the latch for said cam. Fig. 17 represents a perspective View of the vibrating arm shown in section in Fig. 11. Figs. 18, 19, 20, and 21 represent different positions of the finger for depressing or throwing into operation the needles one by one at the end of each course. Figs. 22, 23, and 24 represent different positions of the stop relative to the needle-cylinder. Fig. 25 represents a sec-, tional view of the rotary ring, showing also the stop and the means for actuating the same. Fig. 26 represents a sectional view on line as 00, Fig. 2. Figs. 27, 28, and 29 represent sectional views on line m :r, Fig. '7, showing different positions of the device which keeps the needle-depressing finger momentarily in position. Fig. 30 represents a side elevation of the button for actuating the stop shown in Figs. 6 and 25.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

Referring to the drawings, A designates a rotary ring or cylinder-jacket, which carries on its inner face the needle-actuating cams, is revolved in any suitable manner, and lo- -cated adjacent an upright stationary needlecylinder, in which are carried the vertically sliding latched needles, and A designates a yarn-carrier, all of the above parts being of the ordinary construction.

B designates a semicircular piece or ring which is in contact with one-half ofthe inner surface of the ring A and upon which in its normal position rest the heels of one-half of the needles, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 2. The said device B in its normal. position is sustained by the contact of the lowermost of thescrews G with the bottom of the slot D, the said screws also passing through and sus taining in a rigid position relative to the piece B the ears E, which are two in number; by means of which the device B can be readily moved vertically, when desired, to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4:, the up-j ward movement of the same being limited by; the contact of the upper screws 0 with the upper. part of the slot D, and it is evident that by the above movement one-half of the needles can be-instantly raised beyond their operating-cams and will, for the time being; remain inoperative.

F designates the cam by means of which the active needles are automatically lifted out of action, one at the end of each course, as the cam-ring is oscillated, and will be here inafter designated as the automatic liftin g-cam, the outline of the same being clearly shown in Figs. 3, 10, and 12. The upper edge of said cam F descends on each side from its middle or apex G to the ends, where the cam has two shoulders or notches H and J one at each end. The lower edge of said cam descends from each end to the middle in a gradual curve K. The back L of the.

cam has a curvature corresponding to that of the cam-ring A, as shown in Fig. 15, and is provided with the lugs M, through which a pin passes, movably connecting the same with the projection or laterally-deflected member N of the arm P, which is pivotally secured at its base Q to the outside of the cylinder A, Fig. 11.

R designates a latch, one end S of which is suitably attached to the arm P about midway of its ends, and has on its under side a recess T, which is adapted to be engaged by the screw or pin U, Fig. 14:, the other end of the latch being turned upwardly and terminating in the flattened portion V, by means of which the same can be readilymanipulated, and it is evident from the foregoing that when the,

above parts are in the position shown in Figs. 3 and 14 the automatic cam F is immovable and the machine is set for plain knitting only.

The cams X X and Y Y are stationary and are located relative to the cam F, as shown in Fig. 3 especially, each cam X having a curved portion Z and a notch or shoulder A, which limits the sidewise movement of the automaticcam F, each cam X having also the inclined face B, which forms a continuation of the ends of the automatic cam when the latter is in either of its extreme positions, Figs. 10 and 11, and the inclined face O sub stantially parallel in the present instance to the face 13.

C designates the sides of a recess in the cylinder-jacket A, the lugs M of the automatic cam F moving in said recess, and especial attention is called to the fact that the said cam, when the latch R is disengaged, has two motionsviz., a vibrating movement by reason of the pivotal connection of the end Q of the arm P with the cylinder A, and also a lateral movement by reason of the pivotal connection of the lugs M with the bent portion N of said arm P, said lateral movement enabling the cam to readily follow the curvation of the cylinder A, as is evident. The cams Y Y each have an inclined face D and E, and D designates the working outlines of two other cams whose location relative to the above-mentioned cams is clearly shown in Figs. 3 and at.

O designates the device for automatically depressing or restoring to their operative positions one by one at the end of their course the needles raised therefrom by the automatic cam F, which device consists of the pointed finger F, (shown in detail in Fig. 9,) the same havifig the shoulders or notches G and H, and to the back of which is attached, preferably integrally, as in the present instance, the arc-shaped back J, which is curved upwardly and laterally, and whose thickness is shown in Fig. 7. The said finger has a shoulder K anda stem L, the end of which is screw-threaded, and is adapted to bescrewed part way into the arm M, Fig. 8, which is interiorly-threaded at N and has an offset P and a recess Q for the reception of the shoulder K. The upper end of the arm M has the tongue R, which is pivotally secured in the V-shaped recess S in the head T, so

that ample play will beafforded said tongue, as is evident. The said head T has a shaft U attached thereto at an angle, Fig. 7, the under side of which has two portions V and W, squared off at right angles to each other, Figs. 27 to 29, for a purpose to be hereinafter referred to. The said shaft U is suitably supported in a bracket X, in the present instance by a screw or bolt Y and nut Z. The internal construction of the bracket X is shown in Fig. 26, the lower part of said bracket being bifurcated and having the legs A the latter being pivotally attached to a block B which is suitably secured to the cylinder A at a point directly opposite to the automatic cam F. The top of the said block B has two notches C and D Figs. 7 and 13.

The bracket X has in its lower portion a hole E, which extends therein a short distance and terminates in a hole F of smaller diameter, the smaller hole forming a guide for a pin G which has a shoulder H and an end J preferably rounded, as in Fig. 26. Between the bottom of the hole E andthe shoulder H is placed a spring K the effect of which is to press the pin- G downwardly into engagement with either the notch O or D whereby the pivoted bracket X can be held in substantially vertical position relative to the ring A, as in Fig. 7, or can be sprung f away from it, as in Fig. 13.

' movement of the shaft, and consequently of the finger F, in either direct-ion from the central position, Fig. 28, will be greatly accelerated by the upward pressure of the head L of the plunger.

R designates an arc-shaped piece which is curved upwardly and laterally and is in the present instance integral with the pivotal bracket X and serves as a guide for the areshaped portion J of the finger F. It will thus be seen that the pointed finger Fcan be thrown into or out of engagement with the heels of the needles by a slight movement of the pivoted bracket X toward or away from the center of the machine, and especial attention is also directed to the five different movementsof which the finger Fis capablefirst, a retarded Oscillating movement up to the central position, (shown in Fig. 28;) second, a greatly accelerated movement beyond this point, by reason of the spring-pressed plunger underneath; third, a slight additional oscillating movement, by reason of the loose fit of the tongue R in the V-shapedrecessS;

fourth, a circular movement about its vertical axis, by reasonof the engagement of the threaded stem L with the part N, and, fifth, a motion to and from the eenterof the cylinder A.

S designates a needle-cylinder of the ordinary construction, but having attached thereto a projection T which is located at a sufficient distance abovethe top of the cylinder A to be engaged by the upright portion of a stop and deflecting device V Figs. 22 and 23 being plan views showing the stop moved into and out of engagement with the cylinder, while Fig. 24 is a vertical elevation of the needle-cylinder, (ice. I

The device for actuating the stop is shown in Figs. 6 and 25 and consists of a button W mounted on a spindle X which passes through a hollow boss Y attached to the cylinder A, the other end of said spindle being attached to the stop V The said boss Y has a portion of its face cut away at Z on an incline, and A designates a pin having one end attached to the inner face of the button W while the other end abuts against the face of the boss Y near theincline Z Figs. 6 and 30.

B designates a spring, one end of which abuts against the stop V and the other against a portion of the hollow boss, whereby it is evident that if the button W is turned in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 30, the spring will force the step toward the center of the cylinder A into the position shown in Fig. 22. The said stop V has a double function, serving both as a gage for setting the needle-cyh inder S as'will be explained, and also to restore to their operative positions the needles raised above their actuating-cams by the X is sprung back into the position shown in Fig. 13, and the stop V is in the position shown in Fig. 25. The ring A is rotated continuously and the needles are successively raised and lowered by reason of their contact with the faces E, B, K, and D of the cams, (shown in Figs. 3 and 4,) as isevident.

When it is desired to set the machine for knitting the heel, the operator stops the ma chine and, throws the stop V into the position shown in Fig. 22 and the ring or cylinder A is slowly rotated until the portion U of the stop abuts against the projection T on the needle-cylinder. Then the semicircular device B, Fig. 1, is raised to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, whereupon one-half of the needles will be raised so that position shown in Fig. 23 or Fig. 25. The latch R, Figs. 3 and 16, is disengaged from the pin The stop V is then returned to the U and allowed to drop below the latter, so as to be out of engagement therewith. .Theautomatic cam F assumes the position shown in Fig. lOor Fig. 12,and themachine is now ready to automatically lift the active needles out of action, one at the end of eachcourse, the camring being given an oscillating instead of a rotary movement. Suppose, now, the automatic cam F to be in the position shown in Fig. and the ring carrying the same to be moving in the .direction of the arrow. .It willv pass without action beneath the heels of those needles already lifted out of action, but upon reachingthe first needle, which is down in operative position, its shoulder H will ride under and against. the heel of said needle and. the heel offeringa resistance to the ad-. Vance of the cam will cause the latter to tip ,or rock on its journal toward the right until cams and become inactive.

it assumes the position seen in Fig. 12, and during this movement the needle-heel riding on the shoulder of the cam is carried so far: upwardthat it will pass above the actuating- .As the cam thus acts toraise the first needle its forward end,

which is for the time being the left end, rises in so doing assume, because of the resistance of the needle, the position seen in Fig. 10,.so that the heels of the remaining needles will pass below it.

vIt will thus be seen that the cam F acts automatically at the two ends .of the line alternately to lift the needles out of action one at a time, and this action is continued until in the present instance but one-sixth of the en-- tire number of the needles is left in action,; and when this point has been reached, the oscillating action being continued, the needles will next be carried down into action, one at} the end of each course, as will be explained; until finally the number in action is the same as at the beginning of the heeling operation} It will be noticed that by making the center of oscillation of the automatic cam F as; low down as possible the upward movement of. the needle which is being engaged by the; shoulder H or J will be less abrupt than here-{ tofore, the advantage of which will be evident, and it will also be noted that the cam F has in addition to its oscillating motion; also, a lateral movement, as will be evident from Fig. 11. g

The device for depressing or throwing into. action one by one at the end of their course} the needles raised and rendered inoperative; by the automatic cam F will now be described,

the cam F beingfirst locked, as shown in Fig. 3, it being remembered that one-sixth only of the needles are now in an operative position.

Suppose the rotary ring A, carrying the bracket X, which has been moved into the position shown in Fig. 7, to be moving in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 18, and the head T to be in the position shown. The shoulder G of the finger F is in the act of engaging the heel of the first inoperative needle at one end of the course. As the ring A continues to move, the said first needle will be carried downward into operative position with the proper actuating-cams, as shown in Fig. 19, and as soon as the finger F reaches this point it will instantaneously be moved, by reason of the upward pressure of the head L of the spring pressed plunger, into the position shown in Figs. 20 and 29, and by reason of the play allowed the tongue R in the V-shaped recess S the side of the pointed finger F rides freely over the heels of the remaining needles without moving them, as it is shown in the act of doing in Fig. 20, the needle 13 in said figure being left in operative position.

When the cylinder A and the bracket X and the finger F have passed the course of needles and reached the position shown in dotted lines, the movement is reversed and the shoulder H engages the heel of the first needle 0 and depresses it into operative position, as has just been described, the finger F springing into the position shown in Fig. 21, after leaving its central position, and moving freely over the heels of the other needles to the end of the course, when the movement is repeated, the needle C being left down in operative position, as in Fig. 21. Thus one by one the needles raised by the automatic cam F are depressed and restored to their operative positions, and, finally, by means of the inclined stop and deflecting device V the needles which were first raised beyond their actuating-cams by the ring B, the number of the needles thus raised being one-half the whole number, are restored to their operative positions. The stop is thrown out of engagement into the position seen in Fig. 25, the bracket X is moved into the position seen in Fig. 13, and the automatic cam being looked, as shown in Fig. 3, the machine is now ready for plain knitting again.

ltiwill be noticed that in the operation of the automatic cam F the needle which changes the position of the cam passes the same on one side, while the following needles pass on the other side, and with reference to the finger F it will be noted that the needles act to reverse the position of said finger, while the latter acts automatically to bring the needles into action one at a time at the right and left of the line alternately, and, furthermore, that both the rocking automatic cam and the oscillating finger operate at their opposite ends alternately upon the needles, whereby the action of the needle onone side of either of the above devices causes the lat ter to move the needle to the required posi tion and at the same time adjusts the opposite side or end of the said device, so that it will be in position to act upon another needle when the motion of the machine is reversed.

It will be seen that by means of the ring B one-half the entire number of needles can be instantaneously rendered inoperative, and by reason of the variety of 'movement'afforded to the needle-depressing finger F the function of the same is accomplished with no liability of derangement andwith the least expenditure of power, the friction being also reduced to a minimum.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. Inaknitting-machine, an automatic cam having its upper face terminating in a central apex, and provided with shoulders at its opposite ends, the under sides of said cam being curved and meeting at a point under said apex, in combination with an arm pivotally supported, connecting devices common to said arm and cam, whereby the latter is capable of both a rocking and lateral movement, a latch pivoted to said arm and locking devices for said latch.

2. In a knitting-machine, an automatic cam having its upper face terminating in a central apex, and provided with shoulders at its opposite ends, the under sides of said cam being curved and meeting at a point under said apex, in combination with an arm P pivotally supported, connecting devices common to said arm and cam, whereby the latter is capable of both a rocking and lateral movement, a latch pivoted to said arm and having a recess therein, and a pin adapted to be engaged by said recess.

3. In a knitting-machine, .the automatic cam F, having shoulders at its opposite ends, its upper face terminating in a central apex, and its under face curved as described, lugs attached to said'cam, and an arm P pivotally supported and having a deflected portion attached to said lugs, in combination with a latch R attached to said arm, and means for locking said latch. V

i. In a knitting-machine, the automatic cam F having shoulders at its opposite ends, its upper face terminating in a central apex, and its under face provided with a plurality of concave curves which meet at a point under said apex, lugs attached to the back of said cam, an arm P pivotally supported and having a deflected portion to which said lugs are pivotally attached, a latch R attached to said cam, and means for locking said latch in combination with the stationary cams X having the curved faces Z, and the inclined faces B, and 0 said cams X having the shoulders A which serve to limit the movement of said cam F. j

5. In a circular-knitting machine, the combination of a needle-cylinder having a projection, and a cam-cylinder having a stop, the latter being provided with devices for moving it into and out of line with said projection.

6. In a circular-knitting machine, a device for depressing and throwing into operation one by one, at the end of each course, the needlcs which are inoperative, the same consisting of ahead rotatably mounted, and having a V- shaped slot therein, in combination with a finger pivotally mounted in said slot.

7. In a circular-knitting machine, the finger F having the shoulders G and H, and back J, the above device being pivotally secured above the heels of the needles, in combination with the guide R suitably supported, against which said back is adapted to contact.

8. In a circular-knitting machine, the'head T, a rotatable'shaft therefor, the finger F pivotally mounted in said head and having the shoulders G and II, and back J, the above device being pivotally secured above the heels of the needles, and a spring-pressed plunger adjacent to said shaft, in combination with a guide R suitably supported, against which said back is adapted to contact.

9. The herein-described needle-depressing device, consisting of the arm M, pivotally secured in the \l-shaped recess S of the head T, the shaft U having its under side constructed as shown, and the spring-pressed plunger thereunder, said parts being combined.

10. In a knitting-machine, a bracket X, a block upon which said bracket is pivotally mounted, said block being provided with recesses 0 D and a spring-pressed pin J 2 supported within said bracket, the extremity of said pin being adapted to engage said recesses, in combination with a spring-pressed plunger supported near the upper portion of said bracket, a shaft U rotatably mounted in said bracket, and having a portion of its periphery squared and in contact with said plunger, a head T attached to said shaft and provided with a recess therein, an arm pivotally mounted in said recess, and a finger rotatably mounted in said arm.

11 The stop V having attached thereto a spindle the hollow boss Y having the inclined face Z and springB the button W? attached to said spindle, and the pinA attached to the inner face of said button, in combination with a needle-cylinder having a projection thereon, whichis adapted to abut against said stop at proper intervals.

12. In a knitting-machine, a head T rotatably mounted, means for accelerating the movement of said head in either direction from its central position, a V- shaped recess in said head, an arm provided with a tongue pivotally mounted in said recess, a stem L rotatably mounted in said arm, and a finger F having the shoulders G, H attached to said stem.

13. In a knitting-machine, the finger F, the arm M pivotally secured in the V- shaped recess in the head T, the shaft U having its under side constructed as shown, a springpressed plunger, and means formountin g said parts upon the cam-cylinder.

14. In a circular-knitting machine, the device for depressing: the inoperative needles one by one, comprisingthe finger F, the head T rotatably mounted and having a V- shaped recess therein in which said finger is pivotally mounted, in combination With provisions whereby said finger is rendered capable of five different movementsviz., a retarding oscillating movement, up to its central position, an accelerated movement beyond this point in either direction, an additional oscillatin g movem cnt, a rotatable movement about its vertical axis, and lastly a movement to and from the center of the supporting-cylinder. 15. In aciroular-knitting machine, the combination of the finger F, and provisions Whereby said finger is rendered capable of five different movementsviz., a retarded oscillating movement up to its central position, an oscillating movement beyond this point in either direction, an additional oscillating movement, a rotatable movement about its vertical axis, and lastly a movement to and from the center of the supporting-cylinder. JOHN C. EGLY. Witnesses:

JOHN A. WIEDERsHEIM, R. H. GRAESER. 

